Additional Ways to Keep Your Home Warm

Published on: 15 December 2017 Last Updated on: 20 July 2024
Keep Your Home Warm

Having a good furnace is the most important thing you need if you want to keep warm in the winter. Hopefully, you have performed an important annual service before you started using your furnace regularly. If you haven’t, you should consider doing so now, because you can never be too sure that your furnace won’t fail you.

If, however, it does, you will need help from professionals like hughesairco.com. Keep in mind that having a good furnace is not the only thing that helps your home feel warm. While a furnace will heat up your home, it is the insulation that will help it stay warm. Here are some useful tips about insulation.

Windows

Your windows are probably the biggest source of heat loss at your house. The large glass surfaces aren’t good at keeping the warmth in by themselves, so they may need some help from you. There are several improvements you can make to your windows which will make them a source of savings rather than a black hole when it comes to conserving energy and heat.

Read More: Essential Things To Consider Before Hiring A Window Tinting Expert

Double Pane Windows

The simplest way to preserve some heat inside your home is to have double pane windows. There is not much to explain about the appearance of these windows. There are two panes of glass with air in between them. The reason why they work well to preserve heat is the way heat is transferred.

Solid objects are much better at heat transfer than gases are. That’s why you can put your hand inside the hot oven but really shouldn’t touch anything. Similarly, the glass heats up far quicker than the air but is also much quicker to lose the heat. So, the inside pane of glass heats up from the contact with the inside air. If there was nothing between that pane of glass and the outside air, the heat transfer would be just as quick.

However, with double pane windows, the glass needs to transfer the heat to the air in the middle, which is slow to take the heat and slower to transfer it to the outside pane, and subsequently to the outside air.

Read More: Before You Forget : Things You Need To Consider Before Windows Replacement

Window Insulation

Windows need to have some sort of stripping on them. However, not all stripping is the same. There are different materials which are more or less suited to insulate the window. Make sure to research thoroughly which kind suits your needs and the climate of your home. Be sure to check the weather stripping around all of your windows. If it is old and cracked, it is time to change it. In most cases, you should be able to do it alone, but if you feel like you aren’t the person for the job, contact a contractor.

When it comes to insulation, you have another option. Clear plastic films which attach to the inside of your windows and insulate it from within. Most hardware stores carry these items and, like the weather stripping, they are inexpensive and really easy to install on your windows. The same effect can be achieved with plastic kitchen wrap or bubble wrap, but the end result will not be as appealing as with professional items designed specifically for that purpose.

Repair the Gaps

In some cases, the insulation of your house itself might be lacking, especially near the windows. If you bought the house and don’t really know the state of the insulation, make sure to check that with an expert. Once you have identified the weak spots, it is an easy task to fix the problem.

Keeping your house well insulated will prevent you from pushing your furnace to work overtime and potentially damage it, especially during the peak heating season.

To contact Hughes Air Heating & Cooling
220 W 6th Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210, USA
480-247-6927

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I appreciate the thought and effort you put into this post. It's both educational and engaging.

What a great read! Your article is both enlightening and engaging.

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home ac

Don’t Get Caught in a Heatwave: 5 Signs That Your AC Is About to Go Out

Air conditioners cost Americans homeowners about $29 billion each year. But of course, you don't want to pay for a new home AC until you have to. Read on for a list of 5 signs that you need emergency AC repair before a heatwave strikes. 1. Not Enough Cool Air: Is your home AC running and running but the air streaming from the vents just isn't cold? A sign that you have a broken AC is when it begins to blow hot or warm air. It might mean that your AC has a problem with the compressor. Or the Freon levels are too low. Even if the air is cool but not as cold as it used to be, it's time to consider air conditioning installation. 2. High Utility Bills: As your AC unit gets older, it becomes less efficient. Each year, a unit's efficiency goes down a little bit. When an AC reaches around 10 years, it may be half as efficient as it was when new. If you keep getting high utility bills, it's time to look at the condition of your home AC. 3. Little Air Flow: You hear the AC unit kick on, but when you put your hand in front of your AC vent, you only feel a slight push of air. Lack of air flow will cause some parts of your home to get cooled air but not others. Usually, low airflow means there is a problem with your compressor. But it could also be a problem with the ductwork in your house. Especially if you aren't in the habit of getting regular vent cleaning. 4. Strange Sounds: Another way to know that you need AC repair is if you start to notice strange sounds and smells coming from your home AC unit. There are all sorts of sounds you might hear such as grinding, squealing, grating or squeaking. These noises are signs that things are wrong inside your unit. A high squealing sound means that your AC belt has come loose. Or that one of the metal parts in the unit needs lubrication. Grinding noises tend to mean that the bearings in the motor are broken. You may be able to get your AC repaired if you act quickly. Wait too long and you may need to replace the entire system. It's best to have a licensed HVAC technician come to your home to inspect your unit every year. This way your technician can alert you to possible issues that could crop up if left unattended. It's wise to use a springtime monthly home checklist so you can be aware of the conditions in and outside your home. It's often cheaper to repair or replace the part then let the problem go on for a long time. 5. Bad Smells: A strong stinky smell flowing out from your AC vents is a bad sign. It can mean that the wire insulation has burnt out. Musty smells coming out of the vents typically mean there are mold and mildew either in the ducts or in the AC unit. Mold can cause respiratory illness. You should have this issue fixed as soon as possible for the health of your family. Final Thoughts on Home AC Warning Signs: We hope these 5 home AC warning signs will help you avoid an AC malfunction during a heat wave. Remember, it's better to maintain your AC than it is to neglect it and pay for costly repairs. Now that the warmer weather is here, check out these 10 pest control tips to keep pests out this summer. Read Also: 5 Signs The Roof In Your Edmonton House Needs A Repair Interiors To Reduce The Heat Build-Up In Your Homes

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Home Security Mistakes

Top 7 Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid Making

We all are excited about buying our first home! But, in that excitement of owning a new space that is entirely our own, we make some rookie mistakes when it comes to security. Initially, you do put a lot of effort into the ironclad safety of your house, like putting in alarms, sensory cameras, etc. But, you are also prone to make some mistakes down the line. We have surveyed and found out most of the common mistakes that are done by homeowners in terms of security. As the 7 top home security mistakes that homeowners need to avoid making are presented underneath, take them as a fair warning and make sure you avoid them at any cost. Rookie Home Security Mistakes That Homeowners Need To Avoid These mistakes will sound harmless at first, but they can lead to serious problems when you least expect them. The reason why you should be aware of them is that intruders and burglars keep looking for these loopholes to enter your house. These actions are taken in haste and should be avoided, especially when you live alone or have kids in the house. 1. Leaving The Windows Unlocked To ensure full safety when you leave, you should carefully check all the house doors and windows, especially the bolts of the window and the backdoors. This is a mandatory measure for all the valuable items that are locked in your house. Especially if you have left your kids alone with a babysitter who isn't quite well accustomed to the map of the house, checking the windows is a must before you exit, but sometimes windows do break in because the material is mostly glass. This is why you need a strong alarm system that will prevent breaking and entering. Click https://smiththompson.com/security-systems-san-antonio/ to get the best home security services for installing an alarm system today. 2. Not Locking Garage Door This is one of the biggest mistakes, which is so common that it is scary. 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You have to be careful about these tools and equipment, which can easily give anyone access to enter some of the most private areas of your house. Every time you work with them, do not keep them in places that can allow people to use them. Instead, this equipment should be kept inside the house, locked in the basement or attic. 6. Leaving Places For The Intruder To Hide When was the last time that you cut those ‘human height’ hedges from your backyard, or since when have you kept that equipment room outside the main house unlocked? These are very easy hiding places for the people waiting to intrude, open your valuable belongings, or even you. You cannot be careless because it is only through your strong preparation for security, the intruders will get intimidated. Just like a garage (which is also another excellent hiding place for burglars), you should always keep your utility room, garden room, greenhouses locked. Plus, get some help and cut those hedges today. 7. Hiding A Key Outside The House This might be the last one on our list, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, it is the most important one since it is so common. Forgetting your keys is like an everyday habit for some people, and in order to fight them, we always find new and innovative ways to hide a spare outside our house. This is not only dangerous because the literal weapon of entering your private property is left unattended, but every intruder can anticipate all the hiding places. So, take your keys! But, if you are prone to forgetting, then you can keep a spare with your neighbors. But, seriously, stop keeping your keys underneath the mat. Final Note Home security should be our first priority when we own property. Besides these few common and big mistakes, we should also stop sharing our whereabouts on social media. This just lets people know that you aren’t at home. Installing a proper security system is essential. Although some might be a little on the costlier side, it is an excellent investment for the long term. Read Also: WiFi Security: Mediocrity To Excellence The Guide to Understanding Your Home Value 3 Home Upgrades to Make Your Property Unique

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